Smendes

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Hedjkheperre Setepenre Smendes was the founder of the Twenty-first dynasty of Egypt and succeeded to the throne after burying Ramesses XI in Lower Egypt – territory which he controlled. His Egyptian name was actually Nesbanebdjed[1] but it was translated into Greek as Smendes by later writers such as Sextus Africanus and Josephus. While Smendes' precise origins remain a mystery, he is thought to have been a powerful Prince or Governor in Lower Egypt during the Renaissance era of Ramesses XI and his base of power was Tanis. He features prominently in the Report of Wenamun, dated to Year 5 of the Renaissance or Whm Mswt era (or Year 23 proper of Ramesses XI) as a person of the highest importance. Wenamun states here that he had to visit Tanis and personally present his letters of accreditation to Smendes in order to receive the latter's permission to travel north to modern Lebanon and procure precious cedar wood for use in the Great Temples of Amun at Thebes. Smendes responded by dispatching a ship for Wenamun's travels to Syria and the Levant.

Smendes nominal reign in Upper Egypt is attested by one inscribed stela found in the quarry at Ed-Dibabiya, opposite Gebelein on the right bank of the Nile as well as a separate graffito inscription on an enclosure Wall of the Temple of Monthu at Karnak dating from the reign of Tuthmose III.^[1] The quarry stela describes how Smendes "while residing in Memphis, heard of danger to the temple of Luxor from flooding, gave orders for repairs (hence the quarry works), and received news of the success of the mission."^[2] Manetho assigns Smendes a reign of 26 Years by Manetho in his Epitome and was the husband of Tentamun. This figure is supported by the Year 25 date on the Banishment Stela which recounts that the High Priest Menkheperre suppressed a local revolt in Thebes in Year 25 of a king who can only be Smendes because there is no evidence that the High Priests counted their own regnal years even when they assumed royal titles like Pinedjem I did.^[3] Menkheperre then exiled the leaders of the rebellion to the Western Desert Oases. These individuals were pardoned several years later during the reign of Smendes' successor, Amenemnisu.

Smendes ruled over a divided Egypt and only effectively controlled Lower Egypt during his reign while Middle and Upper Egypt was effectively under the suzerainty of the High Priests of Amun such as Pinedjem I, Masaharta and Menkheperre. His prenomen or throne name – Hedjkheperre Setepenre/Setepenamun – which means 'Bright is the Manifestation of Re, Chosen of Re/Amun,' proved very popular in the following 22nd Dynasty and 23rd Dynasty. In all, five kings: Shoshenq I, Shoshenq IV, Takelot I, Takelot II and Harsiese A adopted it for their own use.

On the death of Smendes I in 1044 BC, he is succeeded by two co-regents, Psusennes I and Neferkare Amenemnisu.

[edit] References

^ J. Cerny, 'Egypt from the Death of Ramesses III to the End of the Twenty-First Dynasty' in The Middle East and the Aegean Region c.1380-1000 BC, Cambridge University Press, p.645 ISBN 0-521-08691-4
^ K.A. Kitchen, The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt (c.1100-650 BC), Warminster, 3rd ed:1996, p.256
^ Kitchen, op. cit., p.260

[edit] Further reading

Nicolas Grimal, A History of Ancient Egypt, Blackwell Books(1992)
Peter Clayton, Chronicle of the Pharaohs, Thames & Hudson(1994)
K.A. Kitchen, The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt (c.1100-650 BC), Warminster, 3rd ed:1996